A letter from the past

This week features an 1891 letter from the secretary of the then ‘Welsh Football Union’, Richard Mullock of Newport, to the Welsh squad ahead of a Home Nations Championship game against England.
 
Mullock, who had organised the staging of the first ever Welsh rugby international in 1881, gives an insight into an era of ‘White Knickerbockers’ and a (presumably) reliable train service:
 
Dear Sir,
 
Herewith final instructions for Match at Blackheath on Saturday next, January 2nd, 1892.
 
– The Football House in London will be the Golden Cross Hotel, Charring Cross
– Wales will play in International Jersey and White Knickerbockers.
– You are invited to dine with the English Team after the Match, at the Rainbow Hotel, at 7 p.m. Morning dress.
– The team will travel by train leaving Llanelly at 10.40 a.m., Swansea at 11.0 a.m., Cardiff at 12.45 p.m., and Newport at 1.9 p.m. Every player must travel by the same train.
– You will please apply at one of the before-mentioned Stations for a return ticket to Paddington, Third Class fare and a quarter, available from Friday to Tuesday. The Saloon will start from Swansea.
– The Committee strictly enforce the instruction that no member of the team play in any match after the 26th December, until the International, and they trust you will do your utmost to turn up fit.
– The Saloon will return by the 10.20 a.m. from Paddington on Sunday morning, January 3rd.
– The Welsh Union will pay all Train Fares and Hotel Expenses.

Should anything occur to prevent you playing please wire at once. Telegrams will reach me up to 11 o’clock, Friday, at Newport.
 
Yours very truly,
 
RICHARD MULLOCK